Trepidation of Mangaloreans still echoes

Published: Monday, March 30, 2009, 19:34 [IST]

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New Delhi, March 30 (ANI): The trepidation among Mangaloreans over the pub attacks earlier this year found an echo on Sunday in the capital when a book was released on the issue, with a hope that the authorities will not remain silent if a similar event recurs in coastal Karnataka.

The book "Kadala Tadiya Tallana" (trepidation of seashore), containing articles by eminent authors from South Kanara District, projecting the unique composite culture of the place which has continued for centuries, was released by Sachidananda Murthy, Resident Editor of "The Week".

It is pertinent to mention that for centuries, South Kanara and Udupi districts have been areas of confluence for Hindu, Muslim, Christian and Jain religious traditions.

People in the area speak Kannada, Tulu and Konkani and are conversant with Malayalam and Marathi. The authors in the book have pointed out that the traditional tolerance of Mangalore city, which was known for its linguistic and religious mosaic, is under serious threat.

The authors point out that Tulu, one of the Dravidian languages, accepted by all religions, communities and castes has a long and colourful history.

Ptolemy and Pliny recognized Tulunadu's commercial significance as back as 2nd century A.D.

Tamil Sangam literature refers to the dancing beauties of Tulunadu. Dr. Govinda Pai, a renowned researcher, has pointed out how deeply Tulunadu and Greece were connected in the early centuries of the Christian era.

Many writers, in the compilation, have expressed their concern over the development and pointed out that 'Communalising such culture is an offence to human brings.'

After Sri Rama Sene attacked girls at a pub at Mangalore, the city has been in news for all wrong reasons. Churches were stoned, Charlie Chaplin's bust was demolished, an MLA's daughter was warned for talking to a Muslim boy and few management students, both Muslims and Hindus travelling together were asked to get down from the bus and were threatened not to travel together. In between, Hindu Samajotsava was organized at Mangalore and a message was conveyed to all that 'People should vote for those who protect Hinduism'.

In his remarks, Murthy, recalled that the process of communalisation of coastal Karnataka - which commenced in the 1970s -- has been a result of the political situation in the State and the rest of the country.

Murthy has been appreciative of writers' efforts in voicing their views to maintain healthy traditions of the region.

The Mangalore incidents of communal violence and attack on women in the name of moral policing by fundamentalists have evoked widescale response from people across the country.

Mangaloreans spread over the globe have responded in different ways and appealed against attempts to malign the city.

In his presidential remarks, I. Ramamohan Rao, a Mangalorean himself, cautioned against using name of "Gods in politics", and complimented the editors for the timely publication. By Sandeep Datta (ANI)